04-15-2016, 02:01 PM
Hello all
With regards to the Roman’s lorica squamata scale armour, I have seen numerous drawings and modern recreations that feature a metal chest plate, which looks like it may be used possibly as a fastening for the armour at the neck. But I have also seen recreations of scale armour without this chest plate.
Does anyone know more about this? Specifically, why do some scale-armoured shirts feature it, and others not? Would it be anything to do with which century the armour was from, or would it perhaps be down to the individual armourer whether or not they constructed a shirt with it on or not. Would it be a question of cost? Would a more wealthy person have one and a poorer person not? For example, would a centurion's armour have it, but a legionary's not? Or would it be the other way round, for one reason or another?
I am recreating an image of the Severan Praetorian Guard (early 3rd Century), and I understand that they wore scale armour. Would anyone know if their shirts would have featured these chest plates? Would it be appropriate for that era/type of soldier?
Many thanks
With regards to the Roman’s lorica squamata scale armour, I have seen numerous drawings and modern recreations that feature a metal chest plate, which looks like it may be used possibly as a fastening for the armour at the neck. But I have also seen recreations of scale armour without this chest plate.
Does anyone know more about this? Specifically, why do some scale-armoured shirts feature it, and others not? Would it be anything to do with which century the armour was from, or would it perhaps be down to the individual armourer whether or not they constructed a shirt with it on or not. Would it be a question of cost? Would a more wealthy person have one and a poorer person not? For example, would a centurion's armour have it, but a legionary's not? Or would it be the other way round, for one reason or another?
I am recreating an image of the Severan Praetorian Guard (early 3rd Century), and I understand that they wore scale armour. Would anyone know if their shirts would have featured these chest plates? Would it be appropriate for that era/type of soldier?
Many thanks
David Hobday